I , Highland Park Focus D PARK RE I REAT RESOLVES 'LEGAL QUEST 0 S HIGHLAND PARK - Last week this newspaper asked As- . ant Attorney General Mark Matus to speak with the City Attorney's office regarding questions qf whether $4,000 retreat held at the Weber Inn at Ann Arbor violated the state's Open Meetings Act. A similar "retre t· meeting had been struck down by the Berrien County Circuit Court a few years ago as a violation of the Open Meetings Act. The judge , ruled that the distance made it inaccessible to voters. Matus stated that an attorney general's opinion said it was contrary for a public � to hold a closed . on to listen to presentanon of department heads and administrators of a public body, and there con­ cern that because of the distance away from the public that this "retreat" represented a closed meeting. , MATUS I DICATED last �k that The Michigan Citizen complaints could have validity, but he refused to enjoin the retreat, since it had not been held yet Matus did explain the situa­ tion to a representative in the City Attorney's office and warned them that certain ac- tivities could not be performed at the retreat He added tha� the Open 10 1 RED APPLE �eetings Act would apply only DOWNES STATED he was if there were a quorum or public very moved by the fact that she business was discussed, said she was lacking in some In an interview held after the areas and wanted him to help meeting, Councilman Downes and desaibed her as "very sin- · said only he and Councilman cere" and "very positive." Comer Heath III had attended He described her statements I . as "the most positive thing I ever COU CIL PRESIDENT heard" Linsey Porter, Councilman He quoted her as saying to - Frank Ross and Councilwoman her employees, who initially· . Olristine Franklin did not show lived outside Highland Park that u�. Councilwoman Franklin if they did n move into the city, said last wee that she' would they 1IIOuid not have a job. She b�rcott the retreat because told all the employees she'd citizens who were appointed '1lack them 900%; but if you commissioners were not invited don't perform, you're gone," he to come as the council had re- stated Councilman Dwight Do quested. He also quoted the mayor as I . .Porter and Ross were n�t saying she's committed to public I H� also" claimed �he available for comment as to their safety, that crime had been promised an open door policy" reasons for not attending. reduced and she expected it to ' between department heads. �d Their absence prevented the continue to be reduced the . b�dget. The council m retreat from having a quorum deciding the budget had ex- and ended possible questions about the open meeiliags act. From Downe's desaiption of the gathering. public issues were not dealt with at the retreat, but i A TTE that the retreat was valuable in aeatinggreater personal under- by R standing and a better atmos- HIGHLAND' PARK- service employment oppor- viously complained, "you don't p re between the administra- Sometimes persistence seems to .tunities for young people. see a policeman for an entire tion and council members as payoff. week, .. persons. For several council meetings, WE HAD A nice mini town Turner stated "No parking" Downes stated that the Adion Turner, President of the hall meeting," Turner recaUed signs were ignored, and ban­ mayor used the retreat to get . Waverly Block Club 2lne. h d with a laugh. 'We found they don d car were parked on tb department heads explaining to been going to Highland Park (the department heads) had a sidewalk. each other wh their funcfioas City Council oomplaining that growing interest," she added, Cars were also parked on the were, deliberating what their city ,officials had not been '''Nowwehavetoseewhatthey'�e Davison Service Drive behind functions were and working responding to her going to do." their houses, forcing residents, together on a team plan. He had neighborhood's problems. Turner believes that High- to walk in the street in order to a chance to discuss with her ad- Last week, Turner noted that land Park will not be able to at- get by, where they could get ministration staff the functioDs three representatives . ited her tr ct businesses and jobs unless kiled by speeding traffic there. of the council block club: Ti Mc Cleary, an It ooks more attractive. The Davison Service Drive is He praised Mayor Scott for officer of the Public Safety "0 matter what you say o�e of the busiest streets in saying she wanted the council to . Department, Marion Hayes, about a city: she states, "if a Highland P rk from regular work with her. Director of the Parks and developer sees something dif- I traffic alone. Turner states � quoted her as saying Recreation. Dep rtm.e�� and ferent, it attracts their atten-· police, fire, and E.�.S. ve�icles to him, "I mow there's some Wanda Bostic of the DIVlSlOD of tion." seem to use the service drive as proble we have, b I need Personnel for the Department She believes this, she notes, their main route. your help.. of �blic Service